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Knee Pain and Physical Activity

Question:

I'm 56 and play racquetball two times a week, speed walk 6+ miles at a time, and play
volleyball. My knees ache after I play. I ice after activities and have been taking
Cellaplex for two months. How do I know if I am damaging my knees?

Answer:

It is excellent that you are active. In fact, a New England Journal study showed that
people who are active actually do better in terms of their arthritis versus people
who are not active. This is counter to what most doctors used to preach 20 years ago.
It turns out that exercise limits weight gain - which, coupled with age, is the major
risk factor for progression of arthritis and thus further joint damage.

It is always good to listen to your body and take breaks - but the amount of activity
that you describe sounds ideal. Typically if your knees hurt more than a day or two
after your activity or are swollen - then you are likely overdoing it.

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